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Dutch shipbuilder and broker RensenDriessen said in a social media post last week that the 8,000-cbm vessel named United LNG I has completed its trial run.
According to RensenDriessen, the hull was built in China, transported to the Netherlands, and the LNG tanks were installed in Rotterdam before final outfitting at TeamCo Shipyard.
RensenDriessen acted as the main contractor for the entire project, coordinating all phases from hull construction, tank construction by Italy’s Gas & Heat, to final delivery.
The bunker barge measures 135 by 21.46 meters and has eight cylindrical cargo tanks of 1,000 cubic metres each.
“These tanks set this project apart. This is the first time we have integrated cylindrical LNG tanks into one of our builds,” RensenDriessen said.
LNG bunkering vessels
RensenDriessen noted that Somtrans is a family company with 39 vessels.
Earlier this year, the Dutch firm said that it was stepping into the deep-sea segment with the brokerage of two 20,000-cbm sea-going LNG tankers.
The firm said at the time that the dual-fuel vessels will be constructed at a selected Chinese shipyard and are expected to be delivered in 2027.
RensenDriessen said the vessels are being built for a Northern European owner focused on LNG transport and distribution.
The owner is Somtrans, and the shipbuilder is China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering.
Somtrans already owns LNG-powered barges.
In addition, the firm and its partner Victrol took delivery last year of what they say is Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunkering barge.
The vessel Energy Stockholm, which serves a charter with LNG giant Shell, also has a capacity of 8,000 cbm.
